By Yumiko Perera
A video of a man allegedly instigating motorists to honk in protest of a convoy carrying the visiting Chinese Defence Minister after it had temporarily held up traffic in Colombo, made the rounds on social media recently.
The authorities seemed to have spared no effort in apprehending the man who had allegedly encouraged people to honk in protest, with him later being charged with obstruction of police duty.
However, speaking with The Sunday Morning, many concerned citizens seem to believe that the sexual harassment that plagues our streets and public transport needs as much swift attention as this incident.
Police slacking off on harassment complaints
Pramodha Weerasekera, researcher and curator
I understand that the safety of a foreign delegation is important. But while it is questionable if what that person did by honking amounts to “harassment”, we must look into how the authorities behaved in response. He was apprehended so quickly, even amidst social distancing. This speaks volumes. I personally know of so many women who have complained to the Police about incidents of harassment they have experienced in public transport – a lot of the time with evidence – but no one hears back. They do not know how to proceed after the Police decides not to act on their complaint. Most people don’t even get an explanation as to why no action was taken. It is disheartening and disappointing.
How about arresting the real bad guys?
Tiffany Ferdinands, research assistant and activist
According to the UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund), 90% of women have been subjected to sexual harassment on public buses. Seventy-four percent have experienced deliberate touching of any part of the body, 60% unwanted crowding of personal space, 52.25% improper seating etiquette, 52% rubbing genitals on another's body, 48.44% trampling on foot deliberately, 46.28% fixated gaze on a body part, 48.72% asking for contact number, and 45.56% suggestive/lascivious looks. There is a law against sexual harassment, which 52% of first respondents were aware of but sadly, the rest of their percentage of first respondents were not aware of said law.
How about starting to educate people more and arrest the real bad guys instead of arresting harmless commoners who fight for the right to travel on the streets they funded with their taxes?
Govt. bullying and intimidating citizens
Vraie Cally Balthazaar, entrepreneur and social activist
The person who had rallied people in honking their horns that evening while waiting for the Chinese convoy to pass was not holding a gun to people’s heads and asking them to do so. The fact that everyone partook was a clear indication that everyone had been annoyed by the inconvenience. Something akin to this incident had happened before too. I think it was an interesting way of looking at how people show solidarity or show their voice of dissent against the government. The authorities were very quick to apprehend him. For those who are women's rights activists, I think there is a tendency to draw parallels between how quickly the government responds to certain things, and how slowly they respond to other things that also happen on the road, in this context, like harassment faced by women. There is research backing it, there are hundreds of organisations that speak about it, and there are many people who have brought to light some of the very unfortunate events that have been happening. Despite all of that, there seems to be very little focus on and interest in issues like that.
It's almost childlike because they seem to be taking things personally, instead of resolving the larger issues – which makes their priorities questionable. There are facts and figures to prove that there are much larger issues in this country, and I think they just like focusing on things that seem to upset them in a particular way. Not only does that say a lot, but it also shows that the Government is bullying and intimidating its citizens, and over and above that, it's not taking the real problems of the citizens seriously enough.
‘System’ worked in this situ; should work in other situs too
Navodini Ratnatilake, Attorney-at-Law
It's nice to witness how the “system” was super efficient in this given honking protest incident rather than being efficient in enforcing the law ensuring freedom of expression of citizens. Let's hope the “system” could be as efficient, transparent, and expedient as this at all times and that the same timely action is taken when addressing issues of sexual harassment of women, investigating cases of bribery and corruption, reconciliation, minority issues, issues about public transportation, and in all other issues faced by the public.
Authorities and citizens both responsible
Dilshani Nugawela, social activist
We live in a culture where women are often victims and men are powerful; the rich are strong and the poor are continuously oppressed; and the authorities have no issue turning a blind eye to larger issues in society.
A boy who honks at a convoy or an old woman who steals something to eat is arrested and reprimanded immediately, while corrupt big shots and their wrongdoings are often overlooked. While the authorities need to do a 180-degree change with their approach to crime, or what could be considered criminal, I think the community is responsible too. As citizens, we need to teach our younger generation and be aware that we are all equal and need each other to survive. We need to stop being social media heroes and take real action, and hold authorities responsible if it comes to that. Stand up for the weak and teach everyone, not only the young, that no man, woman, or child deserves to be treated unfairly.
Authorities’ lack of action normalises sexual harassment
Aneesa Hamid, co-ordinator
Most members of our public authorities, apart from a few, choose to ignore abuse and harassment that women face on the streets or public transport. The fact that they don’t care is what encourages predators to continue doing so. This is why it is so normalised. Every single woman faces harassment daily, but they cannot turn to the authorities. That being said, at least the issue is not hushed or taboo and is being talked about and brought up and considered, especially by younger generations. Hopefully, there will be a turnaround.
Act of silencing civilian dissent concerning
Shanuki De Alwis, activist and media personality
I don’t know who we should be angry at more, the Police, for prioritising all the wrong things when it comes to whose interests they protect and serve more, or the system itself, for being so corrupt that law enforcement is compelled to serve their masters over their people.
Legally, perhaps they had grounds to arrest the man based on noise pollution and obstructing peace, but it was also an act of silencing civilian dissent and using intimidation to send a warning to others who might protest in the same way. That, to me, is very concerning, especially in a land where the authorities are already corrupt. A lot of human rights are being continuously and intelligently violated under the guise of “security”, whereas real problems that exist and need their intervention are ignored or dismissed.
Police, Govt. don’t care about what affects public
Heshoban, activist
The Police are very selective in enforcing the law, as when it does, it does so in favour of the Sri Lankan Government. Any act made to tarnish the reputation of the Government would be punished promptly, and the perpetrator would be held behind bars for longer periods.
Neither the Government nor the Police seem to be concerned about matters that affect the general public; matters such as harassment and abuse. Even though we have had the relevant ministries in the past, no actions have ever been taken to counter harassment or abuse faced by women, and so the Police did not bother paying attention to it.
We come across many videos and stories of harassment and abuse on social media on a daily basis. We have also seen our policemen being present in such a situation turning a blind eye to most of this. This only explains the lack of interest shown by the Police in tracking down a suspect or group of suspects involved in harassment or abuse – and not their inability to do so, as they showed their potential when they tracked down the “honking” person within 24 hours.
Incident showed capability of authorities
Niroshini Nugawela, Attorney-at-Law
Most often during discussions on bringing forth a culture of zero tolerance for sexual harassment, especially in public spaces and transport, one of the key challenges tabled by the stakeholders are the practical impossibilities for the law enforcement authorities to monitor, respond, and track the perpetrators.
However, the recent incidents that unfolded evidenced the capability of the law enforcement authorities to take prompt action in monitoring, tracking, and instituting legal action. This paves the opportunity for us to reasonably believe the same weightage will be given to give effect to the International legal obligations taken on by the State to ensure the safety and security of all in the country, for all are equal before the law.
Conducting frequent safety audits to evaluate how women and girls experience travel and movement, especially in public spaces and transport, would be a great place to start, as most cases are unreported due to minimal or no bystander interventions or victim support.
Pramodha Weerasekera, researcher and curator
I understand that the safety of a foreign delegation is important. But while it is questionable if what that person did by honking amounts to “harassment”, we must look into how the authorities behaved in response. He was apprehended so quickly, even amidst social distancing. This speaks volumes. I personally know of so many women who have complained to the Police about incidents of harassment they have experienced in public transport – a lot of the time with evidence – but no one hears back. They do not know how to proceed after the Police decides not to act on their complaint. Most people don’t even get an explanation as to why no action was taken. It is disheartening and disappointing.
How about arresting the real bad guys?
Tiffany Ferdinands, research assistant and activist
According to the UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund), 90% of women have been subjected to sexual harassment on public buses. Seventy-four percent have experienced deliberate touching of any part of the body, 60% unwanted crowding of personal space, 52.25% improper seating etiquette, 52% rubbing genitals on another's body, 48.44% trampling on foot deliberately, 46.28% fixated gaze on a body part, 48.72% asking for contact number, and 45.56% suggestive/lascivious looks. There is a law against sexual harassment, which 52% of first respondents were aware of but sadly, the rest of their percentage of first respondents were not aware of said law.
How about starting to educate people more and arrest the real bad guys instead of arresting harmless commoners who fight for the right to travel on the streets they funded with their taxes?
Govt. bullying and intimidating citizens
Vraie Cally Balthazaar, entrepreneur and social activist
The person who had rallied people in honking their horns that evening while waiting for the Chinese convoy to pass was not holding a gun to people’s heads and asking them to do so. The fact that everyone partook was a clear indication that everyone had been annoyed by the inconvenience. Something akin to this incident had happened before too. I think it was an interesting way of looking at how people show solidarity or show their voice of dissent against the government. The authorities were very quick to apprehend him. For those who are women's rights activists, I think there is a tendency to draw parallels between how quickly the government responds to certain things, and how slowly they respond to other things that also happen on the road, in this context, like harassment faced by women. There is research backing it, there are hundreds of organisations that speak about it, and there are many people who have brought to light some of the very unfortunate events that have been happening. Despite all of that, there seems to be very little focus on and interest in issues like that.
It's almost childlike because they seem to be taking things personally, instead of resolving the larger issues – which makes their priorities questionable. There are facts and figures to prove that there are much larger issues in this country, and I think they just like focusing on things that seem to upset them in a particular way. Not only does that say a lot, but it also shows that the Government is bullying and intimidating its citizens, and over and above that, it's not taking the real problems of the citizens seriously enough.
‘System’ worked in this situ; should work in other situs too
Navodini Ratnatilake, Attorney-at-Law
It's nice to witness how the “system” was super efficient in this given honking protest incident rather than being efficient in enforcing the law ensuring freedom of expression of citizens. Let's hope the “system” could be as efficient, transparent, and expedient as this at all times and that the same timely action is taken when addressing issues of sexual harassment of women, investigating cases of bribery and corruption, reconciliation, minority issues, issues about public transportation, and in all other issues faced by the public.
Authorities and citizens both responsible
Dilshani Nugawela, social activist
We live in a culture where women are often victims and men are powerful; the rich are strong and the poor are continuously oppressed; and the authorities have no issue turning a blind eye to larger issues in society.
A boy who honks at a convoy or an old woman who steals something to eat is arrested and reprimanded immediately, while corrupt big shots and their wrongdoings are often overlooked. While the authorities need to do a 180-degree change with their approach to crime, or what could be considered criminal, I think the community is responsible too. As citizens, we need to teach our younger generation and be aware that we are all equal and need each other to survive. We need to stop being social media heroes and take real action, and hold authorities responsible if it comes to that. Stand up for the weak and teach everyone, not only the young, that no man, woman, or child deserves to be treated unfairly.
Authorities’ lack of action normalises sexual harassment
Aneesa Hamid, co-ordinator
Most members of our public authorities, apart from a few, choose to ignore abuse and harassment that women face on the streets or public transport. The fact that they don’t care is what encourages predators to continue doing so. This is why it is so normalised. Every single woman faces harassment daily, but they cannot turn to the authorities. That being said, at least the issue is not hushed or taboo and is being talked about and brought up and considered, especially by younger generations. Hopefully, there will be a turnaround.
Act of silencing civilian dissent concerning
Shanuki De Alwis, activist and media personality
I don’t know who we should be angry at more, the Police, for prioritising all the wrong things when it comes to whose interests they protect and serve more, or the system itself, for being so corrupt that law enforcement is compelled to serve their masters over their people.
Legally, perhaps they had grounds to arrest the man based on noise pollution and obstructing peace, but it was also an act of silencing civilian dissent and using intimidation to send a warning to others who might protest in the same way. That, to me, is very concerning, especially in a land where the authorities are already corrupt. A lot of human rights are being continuously and intelligently violated under the guise of “security”, whereas real problems that exist and need their intervention are ignored or dismissed.
Police, Govt. don’t care about what affects public
Heshoban, activist
The Police are very selective in enforcing the law, as when it does, it does so in favour of the Sri Lankan Government. Any act made to tarnish the reputation of the Government would be punished promptly, and the perpetrator would be held behind bars for longer periods.
Neither the Government nor the Police seem to be concerned about matters that affect the general public; matters such as harassment and abuse. Even though we have had the relevant ministries in the past, no actions have ever been taken to counter harassment or abuse faced by women, and so the Police did not bother paying attention to it.
We come across many videos and stories of harassment and abuse on social media on a daily basis. We have also seen our policemen being present in such a situation turning a blind eye to most of this. This only explains the lack of interest shown by the Police in tracking down a suspect or group of suspects involved in harassment or abuse – and not their inability to do so, as they showed their potential when they tracked down the “honking” person within 24 hours.
Incident showed capability of authorities
Niroshini Nugawela, Attorney-at-Law
Most often during discussions on bringing forth a culture of zero tolerance for sexual harassment, especially in public spaces and transport, one of the key challenges tabled by the stakeholders are the practical impossibilities for the law enforcement authorities to monitor, respond, and track the perpetrators.
However, the recent incidents that unfolded evidenced the capability of the law enforcement authorities to take prompt action in monitoring, tracking, and instituting legal action. This paves the opportunity for us to reasonably believe the same weightage will be given to give effect to the International legal obligations taken on by the State to ensure the safety and security of all in the country, for all are equal before the law.
Conducting frequent safety audits to evaluate how women and girls experience travel and movement, especially in public spaces and transport, would be a great place to start, as most cases are unreported due to minimal or no bystander interventions or victim support.